If a Mac is your go-to device for working online, it's a good idea to learn a few of its keyboard shortcuts for managing your desktop. To help you discover and memorize the most essential macOS shortcuts, we've compiled them into a cheat sheet below.
The cheat sheet contains key combinations for taking screenshots, managing boot modes and shutdown routines, and working with Finder. You'll also find shortcuts for managing windows, force-quitting apps, emptying the Trash folder, and more.
FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac.
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Startup Shortcuts | |
| D | Boot to Apple Diagnostics |
| N | Boot from a network server |
| T | Boot in Target Disk Mode |
| Shift | Boot in Safe Mode |
| Cmd + R | Boot to macOS Recovery |
| Option + Cmd + R | Boot to macOS Recovery over the internet |
| Cmd + S | Boot in Single-User Mode |
| Cmd + V | Boot in Verbose Mode |
| Option | Boot to Startup Manager, to pick other startup disks if available |
| Cmd + Option + P + R | Reset NVRAM or PRAM |
| F12 | Eject removable media |
| Global Shortcuts | |
| Shift + Cmd + 3 | Take screenshot of entire screen |
| Shift + Cmd + 4 | Take screenshot of selected area |
| Shift + Cmd + 4, then Space | Take screenshot of selected window |
| Cmd + A | Select all |
| Cmd + F | Find |
| Cmd + H | Hide current window |
| Option + Cmd + H | Hide all other windows |
| Cmd + M | Minimize current window |
| Option + Cmd + M | Minimize all windows |
| Cmd + W | Close current window |
| Option + Cmd + W | Close all windows |
| Cmd + O | Open |
| Cmd + P | |
| Cmd + S | Save |
| Cmd + C | Copy |
| Cmd + V | Paste (copy) |
| Option + Cmd + V | Paste (cut) i.e. move copied item to current location |
| Shift + Option + Cmd + V | Paste and match style |
| Cmd + Z | Undo |
| Cmd + ? | Help |
| Cmd + , (Comma) | Open Preferences for current app |
| Cmd + Space | Open Spotlight search |
| Cmd + Tab | Switch to the next open app |
| Cmd + ~ (Tilde) | Switch to the next window in the current app |
| Control + Cmd + Q | Lock the screen |
| Shift + Cmd + Q | Log out |
| Option + Shift + Cmd + Q | Log out instantly |
| Cmd + Option + Esc | Force quit |
| Cmd + Option + Eject | Activate Sleep mode |
| Shift + Control + Eject | Put display(s) to sleep |
| Cmd + Control + Eject | Quit all apps and restart |
| Control + Eject | Choose from Sleep, Restart, and Shutdown options |
| Finder Shortcuts | |
| Enter | Rename selected file or folder |
| Space | Open preview of selected file |
| Option + Space | Open preview of selected file in fullscreen mode |
| Shift + Cmd + G | Go to folder... |
| Shift + Cmd + N | Create new folder |
| Shift + Cmd + Delete | Empty the Trash folder |
| Option + Shift + Cmd + Delete | Empty the Trash folder immediately |
| Cmd + 1 | Icon View |
| Cmd + 2 | List View |
| Cmd + 3 | Column View |
| Cmd + D | Duplicate selected file or folder |
| Cmd + I | Get info |
| Cmd + J | View options |
| Cmd + N | Open new Finder window |
| Cmd + T | Open new Finder tab |
| Cmd + [ | Back |
| Cmd + ] | Forward |
| Cmd + Delete | Move selected item(s) to Trash |
| Cmd + Up | Move up one folder |
| Cmd + Down | Move down one folder |
| Cmd + Option + I | Show Attributes Inspector |
| Cmd + Control + N | With files selected, create a new folder and immediately move selected files into that folder |
More Ways to Boost Your macOS Workflow
We also have another cheat sheet specifically for Mac Finder shortcuts. If you use Microsoft Office, we've rounded up a ton of Microsoft Office for Mac shortcuts too. Plus, for more Mac tips, here's how to zoom on a Mac.